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next layer is called the mesosphere which is much colder than the
stratosphere. The thermosphere is the next very thick layer of
the atmosphere which is first exposed to the Sun’s radiation. It can
be extremely warm and can heat up to 600 degrees Kelvin. The
thermosphere is divided into the ionosphere and exosphere.
The ionosphere has slightly increasing temperatures and is composed of
electrified particles or ions. The ions are caused by solar
radiation acting upon gases. Radio waves from Earth hit the
ionosphere and bounce back to Earth. This makes it possible for you to
hear a radio station. The ionosphere has different layers labeled D, E,
E2, F1, F2, and G. These layers act as a ceiling upon which radio and TV
waves bounce back. D and E exist only when the Sun is shining on them. E
reflects AM band on radio and F reflects AM, FM, and TV. At night the E
and F combine into one layer.
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